Global consumer confidence increased one point to an index of 94 in the second quarter, according to consumer confidence findings from Nielsen. The increase is part of a slow, but steady upward movement in consumer sentiment reported in the first half of the year. Asia-Pacific, North America and Middle East/Africa each reported quarterly increases, with index levels rising to 105, 96 and 91, respectively. Europe’s consumer confidence index has held steady at 71 for three consecutive quarters, and Latin America’s confidence declined one index point in Q2 to 93.

In the latest round of the survey, conducted between May 13 and May 31, 2013, consumer confidence increased in 45 percent of the markets measured by Nielsen, compared with 60 percent in the previous quarter. Indonesia (124) reported the highest consumer confidence index for the second consecutive quarter with a two-point increase from Q1 2013. Portugal reported the lowest index of 33, unchanged from Q1. Pakistan reported the biggest quarterly index increase of 11 points to a score of 98. Israel’s drop of eight index points to 83 was the biggest quarterly decline.